By Leona Edmiston
A gulet is moored in bay in the Bodrum Peninsula in Turkey.Credit: Getty Images
Turkey's layered empires inspire Sydney's frock queen Leona Edmiston.
WHICH WAS YOUR BEST HOLIDAY?
My trip to Turkey with my husband, Jeremy, in 2010. We loved the exotic blend of East meets West, plus the layering of empires from the Romans to the Christians to the Ottomans, and the sophistication of present-day Turkey.
Fashion designer Leona Edmiston.
AND THE BEST HOTEL YOU'VE STAYED IN?
The Ada Hotel, at Golturkbuku, on the Bodrum Peninsula, in Turkey. It's a stunning boutique hotel with only 14 suites that took seven years to build out of local stone. It's filled with exquisite Turkish antiques and has an amazing Turkish bath and spa. Perfect pampering.
WHAT DO YOU ALWAYS TAKE WITH YOU?
A cocktail dress, a sunhat, my Burberry all-weather jacket and my husband, Jeremy.
WHAT'S YOUR BEST PIECE OF TRAVEL ADVICE?
Always do your research at home. As most of us are time-poor, you don't want to arrive somewhere and be unpleasantly surprised and fiddle around with second-best when you can be maximising the potential of your destination.
AND YOUR WORST EXPERIENCE ON HOLIDAY?
During a trip to Paris in 1992. I'd bought an amazing carpet bag from Liberty in London and when I arrived at my hotel in Paris I hid it under the bed and went out for the day thinking it was safe, only to find when I returned my bag was no longer there. It still hurts.
WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO NEXT?
There are so many wonderful places still to visit but Egypt and the Valley of the Kings and the temple at Luxor are at the top of my bucket list. I want to do some serious ruins exploration.
Leona Edmiston's new homewares line is now available in Myer stores.
Interview by Nina Karnikowski
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